Special Instructor and Curriculum Specialist | Outdoor Recreation Professional | Trail-building Technician Educator

Passionate and dedicated outdoor recreation professional with a diverse background in trail-building education, financial planning, outdoor leadership, and hands-on craftsmanship. Currently serving as the Special Instructor and Curriculum Specialist for the Trail-building Technician Program at Northwest Arkansas Community College, I develop and lead innovative coursework designed to prepare students for careers in sustainable trail construction and outdoor infrastructure development.

With over a decade of experience spanning higher education, outdoor program management, and custom manufacturing, I bring a unique blend of hands-on expertise, leadership, and instructional design to my work. My career journey has included roles such as:

Financial Representative at Northwestern Mutual, guiding clients in building long-term financial plans.
Shop Manager at Ozark Banjo Co., where I combined technical craftsmanship and precision CNC machining to create high-quality musical instruments.
Director of Outdoor Education and Recreation at Lyon College, fostering student leadership through experiential outdoor learning and adventure programming.
Graduate Assistant for Outdoor Recreation at Arkansas Tech University, specializing in trip planning, equipment rentals, and bike repair.
Education:

Master of Science (M.S.) in College Student Personnel – Arkansas Tech University
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Recreation and Park Administration (Natural Resources Emphasis) – Arkansas Tech University

Skills & Expertise:

Curriculum Development & Instruction
Outdoor Recreation Leadership
Trail Construction & Maintenance
Project and Crew Management
Precision Woodworking & CNC Machining
Experiential Education
Financial Planning & Client Advising

Driven by a love for the outdoors and a desire to equip future generations with the skills needed to build and maintain sustainable trails, I am committed to fostering hands-on learning experiences that connect students with both the natural environment and their communities.